Owing to the high dependence of its exports on countries and commodities, Finland experienced the worst recession in the euro area. Executive Directors encouraged authorities to focus on improving bank cost efficiency, preventing excessive risk taking, and limiting liquidity and funding risks....

The economic restructuring and expansion after the crisis reflected a combination of private sector initiative, solid macroeconomic management, including the shift from large deficits to significant surpluses of the general government, and structural reforms. High unemployment is one indication...

The paper is an account of Finland’s unexpected upcoming deceleration in the economy at the end of 2011 and later. The deleveraging of the financial sector and the debt crisis made the nation fear an inevitable recession. To sustain this vulnerable situation, due attention was given to...

This 1999 Article IV Consultation highlights that Finland’s economy has made a strong recovery from the deep recession that began in the early 1990s. Spurred by a devaluation of the markka, growth was predominantly export driven, and the external current account shifted from a deficit of more...

Finland’s 2008 Article IV Consultation shows that spillovers from the global turmoil are adversely affecting activity and may weaken the financial system. From a cyclical perspective, a fiscal structural loosening is warranted. Its effectiveness in Finland’s small, open economy would be...

Finland has recovered from the depression of the early 1990s, and is engaged in a new phase of economic expansion. Problems remain on the structural front and should be tackled for robust long-term growth. The restraint on the growth of public expenditures should be complemented by a significant...

Finland's performance has been impressive. In light of rapid population aging, a significant and durable increase in the employment rate is vital. To leave room for needed tax cuts on labor while maintaining sufficiently large fiscal surpluses is crucial. With both growth and inflation set to...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that growth in Finland has outpaced the euro area average. Inflation is among the lowest in the European Union, and the external current account and general government budget are both comfortably in surplus. The labor market has improved markedly...

This Selected Issues paper investigates the possible contribution of activation strategies—in a broad sense—to improve employment rates in Finland. It summarizes recent labor market developments in Finland, and investigates respectively the limitation of current unemployment and disability...

This report reviews observance of Standards and Codes for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40+9 Recommendations and the Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in place in Finland. The report describes the level of compliance with the FATF 40+9...